Ben Branam was born in California and moved to Austin in 2004. Four months ago, he moved to San Antonio to help start a church and pursue his own business, Modern Self Protection. Ben spent 10 years in the Marine Corps, did a combat tour in Iraq, spent a year as part of an anti-terrorist company, and taught anti-terrorism, shooting, and advance combat skills. He left to take a job as a private contractor for the Army in Iraq.

Note: This is an mySA.com City Brights Blog. These blogs are not written or edited by mySA or the San Antonio Express-News. The authors are solely responsible for the content.

Horrific Crime

On July 16, in north Austin, nine coworkers got together at one of their homes. One of the employees was followed home by someone that was looking to do wrong. He got friends together and they kicked in the door and started shooting and beating the guests. How terrifying for the people inside. Four ended up in the hospital and many things were taken from the house. Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt.

My passion is to stop crimes like this from happening, not by shooting it out, or fighting like Steven Seagal in a movie. With a couple little things this whole entire crime could have been avoided. It’s a little CIA spy stuff, but super simple, here’s how…

1. Be aware of people around you (watch for cars following you from work). If something feels wrong, it probably is.

2. Check your suspicion. Drive around the same block a couple times. If the same car follows you around the block, then you know, if the car leaves, you didn’t lose anything.

3. If someone is following you, Don’t Go Home! Go to a crowded place, a police station, or call the police. That’s what they are paid for! It could be work (police can be busy sometimes) and time for you, but the alternative could be the above story.

Most criminals are looking for an easy target. If you are aware and drive around most will leave. Be a harder target and keep yourself out of trouble.

Ben Branam

One Response

I too would hate to see someone innocently taken advantage of by someone who over powers them. I seen first hand what crime does to an innocent victim and it is not easy too watch the aftermath in allot of cases. In this day and time we all need to respect and love each other as individuals. Natural disasters takes its toll on mankind, spotaneously. Yet, I noticed there is usually a helping hand out there after a disaster. So wouldn’t it be ideal if a person who has an intent on doing harm to someone else (simply because they are willing to take advantage of that indidual and they have the force to do so) can instead take that ill nature into something constructive as in a helping hand. God only knows we need each other in a way that we sometimes don’t see.

Have a Safe, Blessed and Bountiful Christmas, Ben to you and yours. Also, enjoy the New Years and all is goods it has in store, as well.

Dave

Note: This is an mySA.com City Brights Blog. These blogs are not written or edited by mySA or the San Antonio Express-News. The authors are solely responsible for the content.